Three hundred and thirty prospects traveled to the annual scouting combine to be poked and prodded by medical examiners, grilled by NFL personnel men and tested during on-field drills. While the combine comprises only a fraction of the bodies of work teams consider, it's also the largest predraft event and goes a long way toward solidifying players' stock.

San Diego State's 7-2 record confirms what TCU coach Gary Patterson has known for some time -- that the Aztecs' program was the Mountain West Conference's sleeping giant. That giant might now be awakening with Brady Hoke and his accomplished coaching staff now in their second year.